Product classification
HS code for Shipping cartons: 4819.10
Paper and paperboard, cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or paperboard.
Classification of shipping cartons under HS 4819.10
Shipping cartons made of corrugated paper or paperboard are classified under HS code 4819.10. This classification falls under Chapter 48, which covers paper and paperboard articles. Heading 4819 specifically includes cartons, boxes, cases, bags, and other packing containers. The subheading 4819.10 is designated for containers made specifically from corrugated material. Corrugation provides the structural integrity required for shipping and transport, distinguishing these items from lighter folding cartons used for retail display. The classification is based on the physical construction of the paperboard and its primary function as a transport container.
- Covers
- Corrugated cardboard shipping boxes
- Double-wall corrugated cases
- Heavy-duty corrugated shipping containers
- Regular slotted containers (RSC)
- Corrugated fiberboard boxes for freight
- Also under 4819.10
- Uline Shipping Boxes
- Amazon Basics Moving Boxes
- Smurfit Kappa Corrugated Boxes
- DS Smith Packaging
- WestRock Corrugated Containers
Codes often confused with 4819.10
Common mistake. Shipping cartons are often confused with HS code 4819.20, which covers folding cartons, boxes, and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard. The distinction lies in the material; if the paperboard is not corrugated (layered with a fluted medium), it cannot be classified under 4819.10. Furthermore, some users mistakenly use 4823.90 for specialized paper products, but 4819 is the specific heading for packing containers.
Top exporters and importers of HS 481910 (the code used for shipping cartons), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 481910 (the code used for shipping cartons) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 9.1% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 481910, not only shipping cartons.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $1.7B 15% of world exports
- 2 United States $1.3B 12% of world exports
- 3 Germany $1.3B 12% of world exports
World total: $11.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $971M 9.1% of world imports
- 2 Mexico $793M 7.5% of world imports
- 3 United States $779M 7.3% of world imports
World total: $10.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for shipping cartons
Brazil classifies shipping cartons under NCM 4819.10.00: HS 4819.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
This product is covered by the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), requiring operators to exercise due diligence to minimize the risk of placing illegally harvested timber on the EU market.
Questions about shipping cartons
What is the HS code for Shipping cartons?
The HS code for Shipping cartons is 481910 (Paper and paperboard; cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or paperboard). The HS code for cartons and boxes made of corrugated paper or paperboard is 4819.10.
How do I classify Shipping cartons for customs?
Shipping cartons is classified under HS code 481910 — Paper and paperboard; cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or paperboard. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include plastic shipping crates?
No, plastic shipping containers are classified under HS code 3923.10.
Which countries are the top exporters of shipping cartons (HS 481910)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 481910 (the code used for shipping cartons) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.7B, 15% of world exports), the United States ($1.3B) and Germany ($1.3B). World exports came to about $11.1B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of shipping cartons (HS 481910)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 481910 (the code used for shipping cartons) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($971M, 9.1% of world imports), Mexico ($793M) and the United States ($779M). World imports came to about $10.6B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Is the HS code for Shipping cartons the same in all countries?
The base HS code 481910 for Shipping cartons is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for shipping cartons in Brazil?
In Brazil, shipping cartons (HS 481910) is classified under NCM 4819.10.00.